Dorothy Katherine Bouzas Stevens died Jan. 5 on the Vineyard.

She was born on June 13, 1918 in Boston, one of five children, to Anthony and Helga Hall Bouzas.

Dorothy attended the Boston public schools and then married Henry Leslie Stevens, a professional engineer, in 1937. He was her first sweetheart and next-door neighbor. They first settled in Medford, where they raised their two daughters, Patricia and Pamela, before moving to Winchester in 1959.

Dorothy, known as Dolly in those days, was a wonderful homemaker, accomplished at needlepoint, knitting and well-known for her culinary expertise (especially in pies), an avid reader, talented writer and an inspiring conversationalist. She also had a great love for singing at any opportune moment when an instrument or a person would move her. She enjoyed a lively political debate, had a wonderful sense of humor and could skillfully carry her hand in bridge or poker. But her most endearing and longstanding quality was her unconditional love and loyalty that she poured forth abundantly to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and to her wide range of relatives and friends.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church where she devoted most of her time to numerous committees and outreach to the community, including her work with prison inmates. She also enjoyed helping teens at risk.

Dorothy worked at the Christian Science Publishing Society in the 1960s and 1970s. She loved the seashore and moved to Yarmouthport in 1979 where her sister Marjory and husband had a house just down the road. She loved the community and became an active member at her local church.

In 2001, she moved to the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association, a community home, where she enjoyed her last years in an atmosphere of great love, compassion and friendship. One of her favorite activities was reading to children at the Heath School nearby.

The family would like to thank Elizabeth Sandland and the staff at Long Hill in Edgartown for all their tender loving care for Dorothy in the last few weeks of her life. And the family also would like to thank Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for all their love and compassion given to Dorothy in her last few days.

Dorothy truly expressed the deeper universal values of Christianity by her example in caring for others and blessing all mankind. Her generosity and big heart enriched the lives of many.

Her husband Henry and daughter Patricia predeceased her.

Survivors include her daughter, Pamela Benjamin of Vineyard Haven; three grandchildren, Jessica Benjamin of Chilmark, Signe Benjamin of Vineyard Haven and Krista Holmstrom of San Francisco, Calif.; four great-grandsons, Hoffman and Harper Hearn of Vineyard Haven and Silas and Axel Abrams of Chilmark.

The family will miss her terribly and is very grateful for the inspired light and love that she shed on our lives.

There will be a Celebration of Life service for Dorothy in the Palmer Room of the First Congregational Church, 21 Church street, Winchester at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13.

Donations in her memory may be made to Homecare for Christian Scientists, P.O. Box 230036, Astor Station, Boston MA 02123.